Senior Manufacturing Engineer

BAE Systems.; Preston; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace firm is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Samlesbury to optimize operational performance through data analysis and teamwork. The role requires strong skills in data analysis and interpersonal communication, with a background in manufacturing preferred. Essential qualifications include at least a HND or equivalent, while a degree in engineering and experience with aircraft manufacturing are advantageous. The position offers a range of benefits and an inclusive working culture.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experienced in a manufacturing environment, preferably in Industrial Engineering.
• Understanding of aircraft manufacturing challenges is a plus.
• Ability to conduct data analysis using Excel.

Responsibilities

• Assess and optimise operational performance using data analysis.
• Collaborate with teams to produce time estimates for business cases.
• Implement efficiency improvements to reduce waste and costs.

Skills

Data analysis

Computer literacy

Interpersonal skills

Education

HND qualification or equivalent

Degree in relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Location

Samlesbury (Full-time on site)

Salary

£49,400+

What you’ll be doing

• Using data analysis, standard time values and timing trees to assess and optimise operational performance
• Developing and maintaining work balance boards to line balance stations, supporting effective resource and workload planning
• Conducting workplace observations and time studies to identify improvement opportunities
• Collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams, produce time estimates to support business cases and drive process enhancements
• Implementing efficiency improvements to reduce waste, cost and non‑value‑added activity on the shop floor
• Supporting the development of improvement plans and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Hold as a minimum either a HND qualification or equivalent or have completed a recognised apprenticeship
• Experience of working in a manufacturing environment, preferably within an Industrial Engineering role and where possible hold an understanding of the challenges associated with aircraft manufacturing
• Computer literacy, particularly in the use of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and be able to utilise Excel to conduct data analysis
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build working relationships at all levels of the organisation

Desirable:

• Degree qualification or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline
• F35 experience
• Machining knowledge

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The F35 Industrial Engineering Team

Operating across the Manufacturing Engineering discipline, you will be implementing tools and techniques to standardise working practices, This will include tasks such as ensuring manufacturing activities are measurable, producing accurate costings and working to eliminate key wastes across existing and future process.

This is an exciting opportunity working within a close‑knit team, including line balancing to achieve a challenging cost target and implementing new methods and technologies to the detail areas and assembly production lines within the F35 business.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

18th December 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.